MSD ‘keen’ on improving drugs availability

The Medical Stores Department (MSD) wants to improve drugs and medical supplies availability in the country soonest from the current 74 to 90 percent. The MSD Director General, Mr. Laurean Bwanakunu, said this in Dar es Salaam recently, noting that out of 135 essential drugs, 100 are currently available in the warehouses. “I would like to assure the public that MSD is keen to improve drugs availability in the country,” said Mr. Bwanakunu and added that the department was now procuring medicines and medical supplies directly from manufacturers to ensure sustained availability as well as lower cost.Elaborating on MSD’s move to procure drugs and medical supplies directly from manufacturers, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa had informed the Parliament in Dodoma recently that the Government had entered into contracts with five local manufacturers while 76 other contracts with foreign manufacturers were in final stages.In his speech to adjourn Parliament, Mr. Majaliwa said the Government expected implementation of contracts with foreign manufacturers to start during the Financial Year 2017/18.